Johnston County Deputies Charge Police Officer With Three Felonies
JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — A WakeMed Campus Police officer surrendered Monday to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office on felony charges alleging he committed sex crimes against a female juvenile in Johnston County in 2022.
Chad Roger Penland, 47, of Marcom Court, Angier, (a Johnston County address) was charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a minor and one count of statutory sex offense. He was booked into the Johnston County Detention Center under a $350,000 secured bond.
According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged victim reported the incident on June 25, 2026. According to detectives and arrest warrants, the alleged offenses occurred on or about Feb. 6, 2022, when the girl was 15 years old and living in Johnston County. The victim has since moved from the area.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Penland was employed as a sworn police officer with the Morrisville Police Department. He has been employed as a WakeMed Campus Police officer since 2023, Johnston County Report confirmed.
Following an investigation by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, warrants were obtained and Penland turned himself in Monday accompanied by his attorney.
WakeMed said Penland was suspended immediately after the hospital system was notified of the criminal charges.
“These allegations from 2022 are profoundly concerning, particularly as they involve the safety and well-being of a minor,” said Kristin Kelly, Senior Specialist of Marketing & Communications for WakeMed Health & Hospitals.
Kelly said the alleged offenses did not occur on WakeMed property or involve the hospital system.
“WakeMed is deeply committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care possible in a safe and supportive environment. While we understand these alleged offenses did not take place at WakeMed, we have zero tolerance for any conduct or behavior that threatens the safety and well-being of any member of our community. It does not reflect or define the incredible work of the more than 12,800 employees who deliver health and healing to our patients every day,” Kelly said.
WakeMed said Penland worked as a law enforcement officer for the health system from 2014 to 2018 before joining the Morrisville Police Department, where he served from 2018 until returning to WakeMed in 2023.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing.
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Ew
Nasty rascal
Back the blue, though, right?
Judge Penland for his alleged actions, not the entire police force.
If you’re complicit in corruption, then yes, all of them. They believe they are above the law. You would have been Pro-This-Guy too, because he’s ‘blue’, but now we see his true colors. Some of the most evil are LEO, and getting away scot-free due to their titles in the community.
“Blue Lives Matter” you mean this white guy ******** children? Right… ok
You right! He is a P.O.S. messing with kids.. And he needs to go down for it!! 1000% agree!!! But you still can’t judge the entire police force for one idiot. If a doctor was to go up for malpractice, are y’all gonna be against all doctors? No…. you wouldn’t. And I KNOW this is a different set of circumstances, I do. But the principle of holding all accountable for one is the same thing.
We all need to wait for the investigation to be completed. It’s not all the police force now. It’ssome good ones still there. Praying for the victim involved……..Pastor Vera.